News
City to star in baton relay show
THE MEDIA SPOTLIGHT will be on St Davids next week when the Queen’s Baton Relay arrives in the City during the Welsh leg of its world-wide tour.
The Baton – which is making its way to Glasgow for the start of the Commonwealth Games this summer will be carried through St Davids by 16 local people on Wednesday, May 28. The 1,000 metre journey through the centre of St Davids begins at 8am at the Bishop’s Palace and ends an hour later at the sports hall adjacent to Ysgol Dewi Sant. Members of the public who wish to witness this unique sporting event are asked to arrive before 7.30am as temporary road closures will be activated from that time. In addition to the Pembrokeshire County Council car parks at Merrivale and Quickwell Hill and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority car park adjacent to Oriel y Parc, additional parking will also be available at St Davids rugby club and opposite Ysgol Dewi Sant. The Baton will actually be carried through the Cathedral at one point shortly after being blessed by the Bishop of St Davids, the Right Reverend Wyn Evans. At Cross Square, the Baton and its bearers will be welcomed b y the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Tom Richards and the Mayor of St Davids, Councillor David Halse. The next stop for the Baton is at Oriel y Parc where it will be received by the Chairman of the National Park Authority, Councillor Mike James. It will also visit the Sir Peter Blake Art Exhibition within the Gallery. To conclude the Pembrokeshire leg of its journey, it is due to arrive at St Davids sports hall at 9am where the Baton and bearers will be met by the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Jamie Adams. At the sports hall there will be an opportunity for members of the public to be photographed with the Baton and at 10am a number of sports events for children and young people will be held. Sports to participate in include athletics, cycling, weightlifting, hockey and squash. There is also a duathlon for children. The Baton will be carried on most of its route by a number of young people, aged between ten to 19, who are all past or present members of the St Davids Family of Schools. Also acting as bearers are two local men – Roy Stephens and Barry Webb both in their 70s who carried the Baton when the Games was held in Cardiff in 1958. Pembrokeshire County Councillor Elwyn Morse, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, said he was proud that Pembrokeshire had been included in the relay route. “I well remember the vast crowds and exciting scenes which greeted the Olympic Torch when it came to Pembrokeshire two years ago” he said. “I am sure the people of Pembrokeshire will be equally enthusiastic when it comes to showing our support for our home-grown athletes in the Commonwealth Games by turning out in numbers and cheering on the Baton” For further information about the Commonwealth Games and Queens Baton Relay events in St Davids visit: www.pembrokeshire. gov.uk/glasgow2014.
Crime
Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property
A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.
Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.
The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.
The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.
The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.
News
Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’
THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”
The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.
Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”
NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.
“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.
“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”
The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”
This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.
Community
Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed
RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.
The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.
Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.
With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.
“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”
-
Business3 days ago
Specsavers relocates to landmark new store following £1.2 million investment
-
Crime6 days ago
Pembroke man faces rape and sexual assault charges
-
Community5 days ago
Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest is now officially open!
-
Top News7 days ago
Pembrokeshire’s ‘coal king’ lifts one of world’s oldest 127 kg lifting stones
-
News5 days ago
A tribute to Honey Arteya Foxx French, written by her family
-
News7 days ago
Police appeal after Nerf gun bullet hit baby
-
News6 days ago
Inquest hears social media bullying was factor in teen’s tragic death
-
Business8 hours ago
Plans unveiled for new fitness hub in Charles Street